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(CNN) - Keith Olbermann, MSNBC's primetime firebrand host, has been suspended indefinitely for violating the ethics policies of his employer earlier this year when he donated to three Democrats seeking federal office, MSNBC announced Friday.

I wonder if the Juan Williams firing had anything to do with it? Maybe the Jounolist problem was in play, maybe MSNBC is just in CYA mode. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on your part. Could be Dan Rather's little problems with the truth.....we really don't know do we? What we do know is Keith Olbermann is suspended without pay untill further notice...AND THAT'S A FACT!!!!!!!

Olberman is suspended because he didn't seek permission from his bosses at NBC to donate money to a candidate. He never endorsed the candidates on air or steered others toward them. His actions are more an HR violation than they are ethics.

Olbermann violated a company rule. Juan Williams violated a company rule. Aren't violations of company rules and the ethics of violating company rules one and the same? The difference is what, an apologetic response for one of them?

The Fox news article that I read was quoting a public statement from an official in Mumbai. The official made the statement, not Fox. Fox was simply reporting it. If the source is from a public official, it is his opinion, not Fox or any other media publishing the quote.

Similar to Harry Reid's quote in the news media about the Iraqi surge. He said: (From an AP report)

"updated 4/20/2007 12:35:23 PM ET 2007-04-20T16:35:23

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday the war in Iraq is "lost," triggering an angry backlash by Republicans, ....."

So did Reid's quote mean that the Iraqi War was lost? Of course not, that was his opinion, wrong as it was.

So any time one reads a quote, consider the source before believing it.

I'm all for holding him accountable when it's just. I'm not an Olberman sympathizer by any means.

But it has nothing to do with personal ethics. All I'm saying is that there's a big difference between violating a human resource ethic (not telling his NBC bosses that he donated to these candidates) and a journalism ethic (using the power of the press to influence voters for your own personal agenda).

Had he done the latter, that's a dangerous path to go down.

If you want to critique him on this whole matter, I would start with the actual candidates he donated to. Raul Grijalva of Arizona? Strange choice.

I respectfully disagree. And I think Olberman's short suspension is a testament to the nature of his infraction.

I'm not sure what BT/Morris' policies are. I haven't officially worked there in almost 2 years. But I'm sure they have rules about donating. And that's their right as a company.

Fact is, Fox News regularly donates to the GOP to the point that they can no longer be considered a legit news outlet.

From a CBS News report:

"Not only did News Corp. president Rupert Murdoch give $1.25 million to the Republican Governors Association and another $1 million to the GOP-linked U.S. Chamber of Commerce but, as Media Matters reports, “During the 2009-2010 election cycle, more than 30 Fox Newsers have endorsed, raised money, or campaigned for Republican candidates or organizations in more than 600 instances.”

Chris- All I did was post a story, and I'm not arguing companies "rights". Private companies absolutely DO have the right to make these types of rules for their employees - rules that Olbermann should have known about and abided by.
My comment regarding his "indefinate" suspension was geared more towards the people who were trying to argue that MSNBC's values were higher than other news organizations because they, #1 had these rules to begin with, and #2 they suspended him.
-Well........so much for their "higher values".

Also, from what I've read, Olbermann donated to at least one of these democrats the same day that person appeard on his show. Is that "steering his view towards his donor"? I'll leave that for others to decide.
-But if people watch Olbermann's show, how can anyone say that he DOESN'T steer his liberal views towards ALL liberal democrats running for office.

And BTW..........."borderline slander" is not slander. What about Juan Williams 1st ammendment rights?
Oh well.....................he's better off IMO.

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